The Start of the Civil War

Lincoln Faces A Crisis When Abraham Lincoln takes office seven states have left the Union. In his inaugural address on March 4 th, 1861 he pledges not to try and end slavery, but does not want to allow it to grow. He also promises the South that the Union will not attack first.

Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861 The South doesn’t respond Lincoln’s call for unity & Confederate officials began seizing federal-mint branches, arsenals, and military posts. The South doesn’t respond Lincoln’s call for unity & Confederate officials began seizing federal-mint branches, arsenals, and military posts. Fort Sumter was a Federal outpost in Charleston, SC. Fort Sumter was a Federal outpost in Charleston, SC.

Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861 Confederate forces asked for its surrender.Confederate forces asked for its surrender. Lincoln refused and sent ships with supplies.Lincoln refused and sent ships with supplies. Confederate cannons began firing on April 12, 1861.Confederate cannons began firing on April 12, Fort Sumter fell 34 hours later.Fort Sumter fell 34 hours later. The Civil War began.The Civil War began.

Choosing Sides Prior to the attack on Fort Sumter the seven states that had seceded were South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas. After the attack other slave holding states had to choose sides..Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas join the confederacy.

Four slave states Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri, bordered the North. The position of these border states made them important to both sides and these states controlled key stretches of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Many people in these states were split in their decision of what side to choose.

Troops from Kentucky and Missouri served with each side in the war. The majority of people in western Virginia supported the Union. They established their own state government and by 1863 officially became the state of West Virginia.

Secession!: SC  Dec. 20, 1860

Rating the North & South

Slave/Free States Population, 1861

Railroad Lines, 1860

Resources: North & South

Men Present for Duty in the Civil War

The Union & Confederacy in 1861

Secession!: Post Fort Sumter

Overview of Northern Advantages Larger populationLarger population –North 22 million –South Only 9 million More shipsMore ships Larger, more efficient railroad systemLarger, more efficient railroad system Lincoln - Very intelligent and dedicatedLincoln - Very intelligent and dedicated More industry - 81% of nation’s factoriesMore industry - 81% of nation’s factories Better banking system to raise $ for the warBetter banking system to raise $ for the war –75% of nation’s wealth

Overview of Northern Advantages Wealth produced:Wealth produced: –Factory production –Textile goods produced – Iron production – Coal production – Farm acreage –Draft animals – Livestock – Wheat production – Corn production

Overview of Northern Disadvantages Fought on Southern landsFought on Southern lands Divided support for the warDivided support for the war Many believed the South had good chance of winningMany believed the South had good chance of winning

Overview of Southern Advantages Fighting a defensive war – –Local support of all men – –familiarity with terrain Motivation: seeking independence, unified support Short communication lines/ friendly population Experienced officer corps- (Lee, Jackson, Pickett) Cotton - necessary for textile factories of England and France Slave Labor in the early part of the war

Overview of Southern Disadvantages Smaller population Few factories to manufacture weapons and supplies Poor transportation system Weak federal government = not strong enough to control Southern states – –Jefferson Davis did not have complete power like Lincoln

Overview North’s Civil War Strategy: “Anaconda” Plan Overview North’s Civil War Strategy: “Anaconda” Plan Goal: surround the Confederacy and squeeze them into submission

The Anaconda Plan Capture Richmond and force surrenderCapture Richmond and force surrender Expel Confederates from border statesExpel Confederates from border states Control of the Mississippi River to Stop the transport of:Control of the Mississippi River to Stop the transport of: – soldiers –Weapons –Ammunition –Clothes –Food –other supplies needed Blockade southern ports to stopBlockade southern ports to stop –cotton shipments –supplies from foreign nations

Southern Strategy Goal: to be recognized as an independent nation in order to preserve their way of lifeGoal: to be recognized as an independent nation in order to preserve their way of life Defend its homeland, holding onto as much territory as possible until the North got tired of fightingDefend its homeland, holding onto as much territory as possible until the North got tired of fighting Capture Washington, D.C.Capture Washington, D.C. Control border statesControl border states Gain England's supportGain England's support Expel Union troops from SouthExpel Union troops from South